Larvatus Prodeo

Andrew Clennell in today’s Sydney Morning Herald points us to an interesting trial mooted by NSW Premier, Nathan Rees.

Ethics classes will be introduced in NSW schools, offering an alternative to religious studies for the first time in 100 years, the Premier, Nathan Rees, will announce today.

Beginning next year, and with the assistance of the the St James Ethics Centre, the trial will be held in 10 primary schools.

Judging by the rest of Clennell’s piece and discussion held this morning on Sydney’s ABC 702, it appears there is little real opposition to this idea from a battling Premier, who is clearly looking to (re)establish his ‘cleanskin’ credentials.

Update: Anglicans are taking issue with the plan.

Trialling special ethics classes was also a vote of “no confidence” in teachers, he said. Bishop Davis said the Government should realise that values of truth and honesty were modelled each day by teachers in the class room.

“Is there such an ethical hole in the current system?” Bishop Davis said.

“If so, then teach it as a part of the curriculum rather than allowing a non-religious group to enter the realm of the special religious education system.”

Bishop Davis said scripture had been taught in NSW schools for more than 120 years and provided a valuable link with local religious institutions.

“I can’t understand why the Premier doesn’t value that,” he said.